Molokai Beaches

Molokai Beach Guide

Molokai Beaches

Molokai’s beaches feel quiet, open and unhurried, with shoreline walks, remote coves, snorkeling, fishing, sunset views and wild coastal scenery from Papohaku Beach and Dixie Maru Cove to Halawa Beach, Murphy's Beach and Kaupoa Beach.

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Molokai Beaches Overview

The island of Molokai has a coastline of about 88 miles (142 km). Molokai beaches are never crowded and most are rather deserted since the island is home to just a little over 7,400 residents. Also, Molokai is still off the beaten path (it hasn't been discovered by too many visitors yet).

There are only a few good swimming beaches on Molokai. Most beaches on the island are rocky and have an offshore reef or a shallow nearshore ocean bottom with murky water. On Molokai's west shore, Dixie Maru may be the best for a refreshing swim, while on Molokai's east shore, Murphy's Beach is the most popular for snorkeling. Another nice sandy beach and the perfect place for a long beach stroll is Papohaku Beach, one of the longest white-sand beaches in the entire state of Hawaii. Beach sand in Hawaii comes in all kinds of shapes and colors. Read more about Hawaiian beach sand composition.

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Beach directory

Molokai Beaches

Browse Molokai beaches by area and activity, from famous surf breaks and snorkeling coves to quieter local beach parks, family beaches and scenic shoreline stops.

Awahua Beach

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Awahua Beach

Awahua Beach is a remote black-sand shoreline on Molokai's Kalaupapa Peninsula, known for sea cliffs, deep history, restricted entry and ocean conditions that make swimming unsafe.

Dixie Maru Cove (Kapukahehu Beach)

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Dixie Maru Cove (Kapukahehu Beach)

Dixie Maru Cove, also known as Kapukahehu Beach, is a sheltered west Molokai cove with calm-season swimming, snorkeling, lava rocks, sunset light and remote shoreline scenery.

Halawa Beach

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Halawa Beach

Halawa Beach is a remote east Molokai beach park in Halawa Bay, with Kama'alaea Beach, Kawili Beach, valley views, calm-day swimming, fishing, picnics and winter surf.

Hale O Lono Beach

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Hale O Lono Beach

Hale O Lono Beach is a remote south Molokai shoreline near Hale O Lono Harbor, known for fishing, winter whale watching, rough-road access, rocky ocean bottom and Molokai Hoe history.

Kakahai'a Beach Park

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Kakahai'a Beach Park

Kakahai'a Beach Park is a quiet south Molokai roadside park with picnic tables, shade trees, fishing, birdwatching, wildlife refuge habitat and a rocky shoreline that is not good for swimming.

Kamiloloa Beach

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Kamiloloa Beach

Kamiloloa Beach is a narrow south Molokai shoreline near Hotel Molokai, with palm trees, reef views, fishing, sunrise light and rocky, murky water that is not good for swimming.

Kaupoa Beach

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Kaupoa Beach

Kaupoa Beach is a secluded west Molokai shoreline with twin crescent coves, white sand, lava rocks, tide pools, shipwreck history and quiet scenery near Maunaloa.

Kepuhi Beach

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Kepuhi Beach

Kepuhi Beach is a wide west Molokai shoreline near Maunaloa, known for golden sand, Kaiaka Rock, sunset views, lava rocks and powerful surf that can make the ocean dangerous.

Kiowea Beach Park

Kiowea Beach Park

Kiowea Beach Park is a quiet south Molokai shoreline beside Kapuaiwa Coconut Grove, with royal history, freshwater springs, shade trees and shallow rocky water that is poor for swimming.

Mo'omomi Beach

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Mo'omomi Beach

Mo'omomi Beach is a remote northwest Molokai shoreline with wind-blown dunes, protected native habitat, rough access, pocket beaches and exposed ocean that is unsafe for swimming.

Murphy's Beach

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Murphy's Beach

Murphy's Beach, also known as Kumimi Beach and Mile Marker 20 Beach, is a southeast Molokai shoreline with clear calm-day water, reef views, roadside scenery and rocky shallows.

One Ali'i Beach Park

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One Ali'i Beach Park

One Ali'i Beach Park is a spacious south Molokai coastal park near Kaunakakai, with two adjoining sections, royal-sands history, grassy open areas, monuments and rocky water that is poor for swimming.

Paka'a Beach

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Paka'a Beach

Paka'a Beach is a secluded rocky bay on Molokai's west shore, with red soil, rugged coastline, public right-of-way access and ocean conditions that are poor for swimming.

Papohaku Beach

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Papohaku Beach

Papohaku Beach is one of Hawaii's largest white-sand beaches, a wide west Molokai shoreline with long open views, dunes, kiawe trees, sunset light and dangerous open-ocean surf.

Po'olau Beach

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Po'olau Beach

Po'olau Beach is a small west Molokai cove south of Papohaku Beach, with white sand, black lava rocks, a hidden-feeling access road and calm-day reef views close to shore.

Pohakumauliuli Beach

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Pohakumauliuli Beach

Pohakumauliuli Beach, also known as Make Horse Beach, is a secluded west Molokai shoreline with two white-sand coves, tide pools, black cinder scenery and unsafe swimming.

Sandy Beach

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Sandy Beach

Sandy Beach is a small east Molokai cove near mile marker 22, with clear calm-day water, a deeper nearshore bottom, offshore reef protection and a narrow coastal-road setting.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best beaches on Molokai?

Popular Molokai beaches include Papohaku Beach, Dixie Maru Cove, Halawa Beach, Murphy's Beach, Kaupoa Beach and One Ali'i Beach Park.

Which Molokai beach is best for long walks?

Papohaku Beach is one of Hawaii's largest white-sand beaches and is known for long beach walks, dunes, sunset views and wide open scenery.

Which Molokai beaches are best for snorkeling?

Dixie Maru Cove, Murphy's Beach and Kaupoa Beach can offer snorkeling when ocean conditions are calm, but conditions change and there are no lifeguards at many beaches.

Are Molokai beaches safe for swimming?

Some Molokai beaches have calm-water pockets at times, but many have strong currents, reef, rocky shorelines or open-ocean hazards. Always check conditions before entering.

Which Molokai beaches are on the west shore?

West Molokai beaches include Papohaku Beach, Dixie Maru Cove, Kaupoa Beach, Kepuhi Beach, Paka'a Beach, Po'olau Beach and several secluded coves.